October 28, 2026 · by David Gilbert · 4 min read · Security & Scams
Online shopping is convenient, but it's also a happy hunting ground for scammers. Fake online stores — sites that take your money and either send nothing, send rubbish, or simply steal your card details — pop up constantly, especially around the big sales periods. The good news is that dodgy stores usually leave clues. Here's how to spot them before you part with your money.
If It's Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is
The classic warning sign is a deal that seems impossibly good — a high-end product at a tiny fraction of its normal price. Scammers use these unbelievable bargains as bait. While genuine sales exist, an enormous discount on a sought-after item from an unfamiliar store should make you pause and look much more closely.
Check How You Can Pay
How a store asks you to pay tells you a lot. Be very wary if the only options are bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards — these are favoured by scammers precisely because the money can't be recovered. A legitimate store will offer secure, recognised payment methods that come with buyer protection. If the safe options are missing, walk away.
Look for Contact Details and Reviews
A genuine business will have real contact information — an address, a phone number, a proper way to reach them. If a store offers only a vague contact form and no other details, that's a red flag. Search for independent reviews of the store too, but be cautious: scam sites sometimes post fake glowing reviews, so look for reviews on independent platforms rather than just on the store's own site.
Examine the Website Itself
Look closely at the site. Poor spelling and grammar, low-quality images, broken links, and a generally thrown-together feel all suggest a site built quickly to scam and disappear. Check the web address carefully too — scammers often use addresses that mimic well-known brands with slight misspellings or odd endings.
Check the Site Is Secure
Before entering any payment details, make sure the web address starts with "https" and shows a padlock symbol. This means the connection is encrypted. Be aware, though, that a padlock alone doesn't guarantee a store is legitimate — scammers can have them too. It's a minimum requirement, not a guarantee of trustworthiness.
Be Wary of Pressure Tactics
Fake countdown timers, "only 2 left!" warnings, and constant pressure to buy right now are designed to rush you past your better judgement. Genuine retailers use urgency too, but if a site feels like it's frantically pushing you to commit before you can think, treat that as a reason to slow down, not speed up.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off about a store, listen to that feeling. There's no shortage of reputable places to shop, so there's never any need to take a risk on one that makes you uneasy. When in doubt, buy from retailers you know and trust.
Caught Out? Act Quickly
When in Doubt, Search Before You Buy
One of the most effective checks takes just a moment: search for the store's name alongside words like "scam" or "reviews" before buying. Other shoppers who've been caught out often post warnings, and a pattern of complaints is a clear signal to stay away. The absence of any online presence at all is itself a warning sign for a store claiming to offer amazing deals. A genuine retailer leaves a genuine trail; a scam site usually doesn't.
If you think you've been scammed, contact your bank immediately to try to stop or reverse the payment, and change any passwords you may have entered. If you'd like your device checked for anything malicious afterwards, Your Local Tech Solutions can help. Get in touch for friendly, judgement-free support.
